Fiddler, guitarist, poet, singer-songwriter of my home state of Indiana, Quinten Lotus Dickey was perhaps one of the last old-time musicians of the state, writing approximately 500 songs throughout a long, hard, little known, but deliberate and peacefully simple life in Orange County, Indiana.
I first discovered him by a mention from a member of the "Central Indiana Folk Music & Mountain Dulcimer Society". Needless to say, I soon looked him up on "youtube" and was charmed by his chipper personality and connection to the old way of life, which was so eloquently captured in Dillion Bustin and Richard Kane's 1982 documentary film "Water From Another Time".
As it turns out, the rest of the world (if they've ever heard of him at all) met Lotus through the film as well. The interest in this old timer (he was 71 at the time) launched a full time musical career for him.
"From 1981 until his death in 1989, Lotus's musical life flourished. He performed at major folk festivals around the US, including the Pinewoods Camp, the Augusta Heritage Festival, the Battleground Festival, and the 1984 National Folk Festival. He was twice awarded Indiana Arts Commission Awards for the recording of three cassettes, The Pride of Glencoe, The Very First Time, and Got Someone I'm Wild About (now all available as CDs). He was declared an Indiana State Treasure. He also reached Hoosiers through his performances in the Indiana State Parks and public schools. Wherever Lotus went, people of all ages wanted to learn his songs" (http://www.lotusdickeymusic.org/).
As in all the 'Folk Bios', I end in a quote by Lotus himself:
"Poetry is a means of making a sentiment more vivid. And poetry together with music maybe is set apart a little more. But I never considered myself outstanding at all. If there is any value in the songs I've produced on my own, then I say it's a gift from God. And if it's not a gift it's of no real value anyway."
-Lotus DickeyFrom an interview with Dillon Bustin, Paoli, Indiana, March 4, 1984.
Website about Lotus Dickey's life and music, including a store:
http://lotusdickeymusic.org/
"Water From Another Time" on the AWESOME Folk Streams.net
http://www.folkstreams.net/film,133
Indiana Folk Music & Mountain Dulcimer Society:
http://www.indianafolkmusic.org/
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